XML QuickStart

Application-to-application (A2A) integration within an enterprise is a daily issue for most IT shops. Extending A2A integration into B2B (business-to-business) integration over the Internet is rapidly becoming a requirement for survival. Unsatisfactory A2A solutions will not provide successful B2B implementation strategies.

Success requires absolute data integrity in the exchange. XML enforces data integrity, and provides navigation among industry standards and local data definitions. Furthermore, XML provides the loosely coupled data interface that brings flexibility to hitherto rigid applications. This means decreased time to market for web integration projects, and significantly improved A2A solutions. Because of these abilities in addressing both A2A and B2B requirements, XML is being recognized as the most important data-related standard since SQL.

B2B application strategies can be implemented through buying or building new applications, or by re-use and modernization of legacy assets. Thoughtful consideration must be given, on a case-by-case basis, as to the pros and cons of each approach. XML can be a key element of new applications, or it can provide the optimal technical strategy for re-use of legacy applications.

XML QuickStart™ is a two- to four-day on-site program specifically designed to help you determine and realize the value in XML for you. Timely and effective integration of this technology into your solutions can ensure that you remain a leader in delivering the information and services being demanded by your customers.

After completing the XML QuickStart™ process, you will be ready to choose whether or not to replace legacy applications with new systems, and to plan and initiate your use of XML integrated with selected legacy applications.·

• Syntax and programming guidelines for XML, XSL, and XSLT
• XML schema and assigning tags to existing data
• Translating between local data tags and industry standards
• Replacing CICS with MQ Series and XML/XSL
• Replacing SQL with XML-QL
• Middleware versus native XML
• Application data architectures with XML
• Data integrity issues, from hardware layer to semantic layer
• DCOM, CORBA and other tightly coupled architectures versus loosely coupled XML designs
• Overview of W3C, industry related standards, and current trends
• Overview of representative XML software currently available
  

XML QuickStart Application Consultations
Using interviews, discussions and roundtables with your key application and project managers, application transition experts from Forecross will analyze each current application and proposed project under consideration for A2A or B2B integration. The discussion will focus first on the alternatives of buy, build new, or re-use, and then on how best to gain advantage from loosely coupled XML data exchanges. The "semantics" of your data will be analyzed along with your readiness to expand your enterprise data model to include XML attributes.

During these one-on-one sessions, the basic XML knowledge provided in the technical briefings is extended to include additional details that relate to specific issues or opportunities in your applications and projects. Based on the findings, XML QuickStart™ discusses alternative approaches for transitioning existing applications to XML where re-use is a viable strategy.

XML QuickStart Data Management Consultation
Through interviews and discussions with the managers and staff involved in data modeling in your organization, we evaluate your readiness to add XML-related attributes to your data models. This evaluation focuses on the extent to which you have captured the "semantics" of your data, since this is a foundation for successfully using XML.

XML QuickStart Recommendations
From the findings, XML QuickStart™ provides detailed, specific recommendations on approaches to and timing for transitioning current applications to support XML-enabled data exchange. This includes our assessment of the "extensibility" of your existing applications and data models to support XML.

XML QuickStart Final Reports
We provide you with an executive management report detailing the analyses and recommendations described above. The report is sent approximately two to three weeks after the on-site sessions have been completed.

Who should attend the briefings?

• At least one person who is knowledgeable about the technical functions and interfaces of each candidate application or data-interchange project
• Business owners for candidate applications
• Technical manager(s) and staff responsible for data modeling
• Anyone who might participate in and/or manage a data interchange project using XML
• We recommend that senior IT management participate in the opening and closing management sessions.

How XML QuickStart Operates
Customer Preparation
Approximately two weeks prior to the on-site session, you will receive a detailed preparation checklist. You need to identify the architecture and interfaces of your candidate applications and data interchange projects, and send this information to Forecross prior to the on-site visit.

On-Site Services
Forecross XML experts will typically spend two to four days at your site, depending on the number of applications to be reviewed. While XML QuickStart™ is customized to your requirements, the structure is generally as follows:

• Opening and closing management sessions - one-half to one hour each
• Technical briefings - one morning or afternoon devoted to technical briefings and open discussion of XML standards and use
• Consultation and evaluation - a two- to four-hour discussion and review for each candidate application and data interchange project
• Preliminary analysis - a one- to two-hour presentation and discussion of our preliminary conclusions and recommendations for getting started with XML in your organization.

Summary
To ensure you have all the information you need to start preparing now for the successful use of XML in your organization, contact Forecross Corporation, the world's leading experts in enhancing the value of your existing applications. XML QuickStart™ is your road map to finding the bottom line value in XML.